In an historic achievement, Shrewsbury Town Football Club are one step closer to being the first club in England & Wales to introduce safe standing at their Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium, following the successful completion of their crowdfunding campaign thanks to a considerable contribution from FansBet.

FansBet, whose ambassador is former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, said of their contribution to the campaign “We know exactly how important the issue of safe standing is to fans in helping generate the correct environment to enjoy watching football for supporters young and old.”

Speaking of the achievement, Roger Groves of the Shrewsbury Town Supporters’ Parliament said “This is a remarkable achievement by the hundreds of fans and sponsors, especially FansBet, who have paved the way for the thousands more to bring standing back to matchdays at their clubs. I am very proud that Shrewsbury Town has been at the heart of this”.

Brian Caldwell, Shrewsbury Town CEO, added “We are delighted that Shrewsbury Town will be the flagship club in addressing this issue, which is so important to so many fans. We will now continue to work closely with our local SAG (Safety Advisory Group) to gain the necessary certification for the Safe Standing area within the Salop Leisure Stand at the Montgomery Waters Meadow, and we hope to have supporters watching home games from the safe standing area before the end of the season”.

Safe standing has been something that fans nationwide have campaigned to see introduced for many years, as government policy currently prohibits many clubs from offering supporters the chance to stand. As one of the few clubs with an all-seater ground able to introduce a rail seating section, Shrewsbury Town will now lead the way in making the case for a change in policy and adding a standing option to the matchday experience for all clubs and fans.

Thank you to everyone that has made safe standing happen.

Thank you to all the businesses and organisations that have supported the campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the rail seats be fitted?

Our aim is to have the rail seats fitted and in use before the end of the 2017/18 season. The sooner we raise the money we need, the quicker we can start!

Where will the rail seats be fitted?

In order to satisfy the estimated initial demand for standing spaces and to ensure that the designated standing area does not cause any sightline obstructions for seated supporters, the area being looked at is the back of the South Stand. Pending approval by the Safety Advisory Group, it is likely to extend from Row T down to Row P and cover the full width of the stand.

If I have a season ticket for a seat in the proposed rail seat area, what will my options be?

Assuming that the rail seating section opens in Spring 2018, you will have two options. If you wish to join the standing section, you will be able to stay where you are and become one of the very first season ticket holders for that area. If you wish to continue watching games sat down, you will be able to relocate for the remainder of the 2017/18 season to any other available seat in the ground (excluding Sovereign Suite area) at no extra cost.

How much needs to be raised?

Based on the final configuration of the rail seating area and the conditions imposed by the Sports Ground Safety Authority and the Safety Advisory Group we are looking to raise £75,000.

I didn’t think safe standing was allowed yet in all-seater grounds. How come Shrewsbury Town are able to do this?

At most all-seater grounds in England and Wales it isn’t. However, the new stadium is an exception because it was built as an all-seater stadium even though the club was not required to do so by law. Consequently, the Montgomery Water Meadow Stadium is one of 29 EFL grounds (21 with terraces, eight without) not governed by the all-seater legislation. The new process set up in the spring by the Sports Ground Safety Authority in consultation with the EFL, that makes provision for EFL clubs with grounds not covered by the all-seater law to apply for permission to create a safe standing area, thus applies to the Shrewsbury Town FC stadium.

How will having safe standing at the new stadium help other clubs?

It will help to demonstrate the benefits of safe standing to the media, the wider public, football administrators and politicians. That will hopefully make the politicians more responsive to calls for them to approve safe standing from the likes of the EFL (which is mandated by its clubs to make such calls), the FA and the EPL (where several major clubs have already incorporated rail seating into future stadium designs). By showing how it can be done, we will help pave the way for others.

How can you be sure that Shrewsbury will be the first?

As long as the rail seating section is opened before the end of the 2017/18 season, we are confident that our stadium will be the first all-seater league ground in England or Wales to introduce safe standing. As indicated earlier, most clubs with all-seater grounds in the EFL and all such clubs in the EPL are not currently permitted to create any safe standing areas. Shrewsbury Town FC is one of just eight EFL clubs where this is now permitted. Our understanding is that while at least one other club among that eight is looking to introduce standing at their ground in due course, this will not be during the coming season. An installation at the new stadium by May 2018 should, therefore, see Shrewsbury Town make history!

What is crowdfunding? How does it work?

Crowdfunding is a method of raising funds by inviting a large number of people (the crowd) to make individual donations towards the total fund to be raised. In return, donors typically receive a reward’ in the form of a small token of appreciation or of experiences that money normally can’t buy. Crowdfunding campaigns are run almost exclusively online.

Who will be running the crowdfunding campaign?

The campaign will be run jointly by the Shrewsbury Town Supporters’ Parliament and the Football Supporters Federation. They have selected the Tifosy platform due to the success of Tifosy's previous campaigns for EFL clubs.

Who do you expect to contribute to the campaign?

The campaign will invite donations both from Shrewsbury Town fans and supporters of safe standing from across the UK and even further afield. The rewards on offer are designed to appeal both to locally based fans and football supporters contributing from afar.

When I contribute to the campaign, whose bank account will my money go into?

Your money will go into a dedicated bank account under the control of the Supporters’ Parliament.

What happens if the campaign target is not reached?

The initial aim is to raise sufficient funds to purchase and install around 550 rail seats. If the target is missed, a smaller safe standing area will be created.

What happens if the campaign target is exceeded?

If the campaign target is exceeded, a surplus fund will be built up to be used for future FSF-backed safe standing projects. When the campaign ends, the SP will transfer this surplus to the FSF bank account. Supporter groups of any EFL or EPL club will then have the opportunity to apply to the FSF for a grant to part-fund a safe standing project at their club. Applications will be assessed by the democratically elected FSF National Council. Your contribution will therefore not only help Shrewsbury Town to make history and give a major boost to the safe standing campaign in general, but could help other clubs – perhaps yours – to fund a safe standing project in the future as well.

What happens if Shrewsbury Town get required by law to go back to normal seats?

Theoretically this situation could arise if the club were to play at Championship level or higher for three seasons before any change is introduced in how the all-seater legislation is applied. Although we very much hope that such a change will occur before that point is reached, the campaign target includes a contingency fund to cover this eventuality. That contingency will be held by the SP and released to the club if it is required by law to make this change. In the event that the application of the law is changed and it is clear that the club can no longer be required to revert back to normal seats, the SP will transfer the contingency fund to the FSF safe standing fund for use as outlined above.

I don't live in the UK. Can I still contribute?

Yes, donations are accepted from most countries as long as you use one of the supported debit or credit cards, PayPal or Apple Pay. Not only that, we will also take care of shipping you with the reward(s) you have chosen, where applicable.

How much of my contribution is taken up by admin fees and costs?

Costs and campaign expenses amount to less than 10% of the total amount raised. These include, amongst others, production costs of the campaign video, design and running costs of the campaign website and underlying platform, marketing costs, Tifosy’s fees and expenses, and payment processing fees. The campaign costs and expenses are in line with the crowdfunding industry average. Costs related to the manufacturing and fulfilment of rewards vary on a per reward basis.

Are there other costs to pay, like shipping or credit card charges?

No. All these costs are covered by your contribution.

What happens with my personal information?

We will never store your credit card info anywhere. We use a secure payment process provider to process payments, so we don’t have to touch your payment information. We will use your name and email to deliver your contribution receipt, any rewards, and keep you up-to-date with campaign information. On occasion, we will use these details to share details of other Tifosy campaigns and the projects of trusted partners which might be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive such emails you will be able to unsubscribe. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for more details.

How will the Borussis Dortmund tickets be allocated?

If you win tickets to watch a game standing on the famous Yellow Wall in Dortmund, you will be contacted by the club to arrange which game you’d like to attend. You may pick any domestic home game, with the exception of matches against Bayern Munich or Schalke 04. In addition to the tickets for the match you will also get tickets for a stadium tour, inclusive of a visit to the impressive club museum. Travel and accommodation are not included (although your match ticket will cover travel on public transport across a large region for several hours before and after the match). Full competition terms below.

Competition Terms & Conditions (not for standard Rewards)

1. The Promoter is: Shrewsbury Town Football Club Ltd (company no. 00315587) whose registered office is at the Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ST
2. Employees of Shrewsbury Town Football Club Ltd or their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition or helping to set up the competition shall not be permitted to enter the competition. No purchase necessary. Alternative entry is via sending an email with the correct answer to the question and your name & address to shrews@tifosy.com.
3. Closing date for entry is stated on the reward box. After this date no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
4. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
5. The rules of the competition are as follows: Each entry submitting the correct answer to the nominated question will be entered into the Draw. One winner will be selected at random from the correct entries received into the Draw before closing date and verified by the Promoter and/or its agents. There is no limit to the number of entries per entrant.
6. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the Promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the Promoter.
7. The Promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
8. No cash alternative to prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
9. The winner will be notified by email and/or letter within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, the Promoter reserves the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
10. The Promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected.
11. The Promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
12. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her acceptance of, and agreement to be bound by, these terms and conditions, and the general terms and conditions of Tifosy.com
13. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
14. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
15. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Shrewsbury Town Football Club Ltd and its agents in this competition, and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions found at http://tifosy.com/en/privacy and http://tifosy.com/en/terms.

Rewards

Thank you for supporting the campaign to fund the first Safe Standing zone in England & Wales!

84 fanfunders

Contribute £10

One Year Subscription to STAND

Enjoy a year's digital subscription to STAND magazine for just £10 (RRP £15.99)

1 fanfunder

Contribute £10

Official Campaign Supporter Certificate

Be recognised as a contributor to the campaign and get this personalised certificate to print out and keep!

55 fanfunders

Contribute £15

Your name in the official Safe Standing Opening matchday programme

Proudly show your support for the campaign by having your name in this collector's edition programme. You'll also get your certificate of contribution.

109 fanfunders

Contribute £25

Safe Standing supporter T-shirt

Proudly show your support for Safe Standing with this uniquely designed T-shirt, available in 2 colour options.

54 fanfunders

Contribute £30

Official Shrewsbury Town football, signed by the player of your choice

Get an official Mitre football with Shrewsbury Town badge, and have it signed by one of the squad!

50 fanfunders

Contribute £35

Appear in the 'Big Supporters Photo' + Get your copy

To mark the occasion, a photo will be taken of contributors to the campaign, in the Salop Leisure South Stand. You'll also get a copy of the photo.

8 fanfunders

Contribute £50

Limited (12 left of 25)

Mock-up STFC Programme Cover with you signing for the Shrews

You'll get a mocked-up front cover of the official programme (as digital picture) with you as the newest signing for Shewsbury Town Football Club - complete with photograph taken at the ground!

13 fanfunders

Contribute £75

YOUR NAME on the Safe Standing Supporters Wall of Fame at the stadium

Your name will be included in the Safe Standing Supporters Wall of Fame, to be placed in the concourse of the Salop Leisure South Stand

32 fanfunders

Contribute £100

Limited (33 left of 40)

2 VIP Tickets to Safe Standing Grand Opening + Launch Party

You and a friend will take part in the inauguration of the new rail seating area, and join in the fun at the launch celebration party afterwards!

7 fanfunders

Contribute £150

Limited (166 left of 180)

'Engraved in History' on a rail seat

Get your name engraved on one of the first rail seats to be installed at an English football ground! You will also receive a certificate with your seat number, and be given first refusal on a season ticket in the safe standing area.

Your name engraved on a rail seat + certificate with seat number AND you and a friend will take part in the inauguration and join the party, AND be given first refusal on a season ticket in the safe standing area!

You'll get your official certificate, a digital subscription to STAND Magazine (worth £11.99) AND be entered in a draw to win 2 tickets for a game at Borussia Dortmund, standing on the Yellow Wall - and a stadium tour and museum visit! WOW!

Contribute £5

CHANCE TO WIN: Signed Shrewsbury Town home shirt

A unique collector's item for any Shrews fan - a 17/18 home shirt, signed by players!

By donating £10 to support safe standing in England & Wales, you and a friend will be in with a chance to stand together on the Yellow Wall at Borussia Dortmund, and get a stadium tour and museum visit to boot!